32. Chapter 32

“She’s bulletproof, Alex, how the hell could you do that?”

“It’s my job, Maggie, it’s my job to protect her – “

“She didn’t need protection – “

“And if you can’t handle that, I don’t know what to tell you, because – “

“Stop, you don’t get to storm out of here. You can’t, because you’re likely to rip this gaping hole in your stomach open again.”

A sigh. A pause. An impasse.

Maggie’s fingers on Alex’s shoulders, holding her down to the bio bed, gentle and tender despite the rage in her eyes, despite her glowering body language, despite the furious tone of her voice.

“Maggie, I… she’s my sister.”

A heavy sigh. Maggie collapsing onto the bed by Alex’s hips. Maggie taking Alex’s hand, careful not to disturb her IV. Maggie bending to kiss each knuckle.

“I know, babe. I know. And you’re never gonna not protect her. That’s why I… that’s why you’re you.”

A long pause as Alex processes the layers of what Maggie didn’t say out loud, but what her wide, wet, terrified eyes are screaming.

“I love you, Maggie. I’m not gonna leave you.”

Another long pause as Maggie’s throat fills with tears and her heart swells nearly outside of her chest.

“You better not, Danvers. Cause I love you, too.”